My daughter’s basketball coach has a saying for his team: “If you compete against others you make excuses, if you compete against yourself you make progress.” I have thought about that statement and feel that is exactly what many in the church of Christ are doing today. When we compete against the denominational churches and community churches, we find ourselves making excuses. The question is why? First, my opinion is we see the growth they achieve by “tickling” their listeners ears. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV) 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Many of these churches ask their attendees what they like for worship and want in the congregations programs, while the churches of Christ are determined to abide by the Bible only for Worship and for our “programs” just as recorded in Acts 2:42 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Just because a church is growing numerically does not mean they are adding to the kingdom, but instead are filling the seats based on “what satisfies the masses”. Remember Matthew 7:21 (KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many then begin to make excuses as they compare the congregation they attend to the mega community church down the road. Ask yourself this question: If the congregation you attend baptizes only two people in a year using the Gospel, and the local community church adds 400 people based on the “sinners prayer”, which congregation helped to add more to the church which is mentioned in the Bible? I will admit that the community churches are getting extremely large as compared to many congregations of the Lord’s church. Some would even say they are swelling or busting at the seams. “Swelling” also happens from inflammation caused by illness and disease! Based off the previous example, it is clear who is actually helping to add individuals to the kingdom, even when the “numbers” seem deceiving. When we try to compete with those who are willing to do anything to increase attendance, we are comparing “apples to oranges”. Further, my daughter’s coach said “if you compete against yourself you make progress.” His statement applies to basketball but is also applicable to us in the churches of Christ. Each of us must take an occasional assessment of where we are as compared to where we want to be and what we want to accomplish. How can we complain about stagnant growth when we are not challenging ourselves? Did I invite more people to church this month than last month? Did I have more Bible studies with individuals this year than last year? When we don’t challenge ourselves, we often become accustomed to the results of complacency. Did we try to improve our Bible study curriculums to be more structured, well-rounded, and more efficient? Have we challenged ourselves to find new ways to promote the congregation via media or print sources? As the times change, we must also adapt, while at the same time promoting the same Gospel we find in the pages of our New Testament. I am encouraged to know many in the churches of Christ who challenge themselves on an ongoing basis, and are making progress! Many individuals are working for the kingdom. There is a brother in Christ who works in a factory and said he does not feel prepared to lead a Bible study. Yet, that same man brought me three different people in less than 7 days in order to teach the Gospel. It is people like this who are truly challenging themselves. I am encouraged to know many congregations which are growing and are still standing firm behind the pulpit as they denounce denominationalism and preach about unity founded on the Bible alone. I hear so much negativity about the “dying church”, but I must say I’m not seeing it and have an excitement about who we are, where we are, and where we are going! I will admit I had fallen into the “numbers” watching game. But, after listening to a man who is wise in the game of basketball, I believe I am a little wiser in my assessment of “success” in the church. Remember this: swelling can be a sign of infection. Let’s quit competing and comparing the church to denominational and community churches, and let’s start competing against ourselves to work harder than ever before at teaching the lost the truth.Written by: Shawn Bogemann